Vhong Navarro

Early life Vhong Navarro was born as Ferdinand Hipolito Navarro in Makati on January 4, 1977. He dreamed to be a professional dancer and started as a member of the dance group Streetboys, organized by director Chito Roño before starting his career in comedy.

Career Streetboys In 1993, Navarro auditioned to become a member of Streetboys, a dance group formed by filmmaker Chito S. Roño. In 1996, Navarro and other members of Streetboys starred in Roño's comedy film Istokwa.

Film career Navarro became a star in the film Mr. Suave, a parody of the Parokya ni Edgar song of the same name. Navarro started to gain recognition for his acting skills when he appeared in the film No Other Woman in 2011. He has since then starred in a number of films such as The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin (2014), Extra Service (2017), and Haunted Forest (2017). He has also appeared in several television shows like It's Showtime (2009–present), Wansapanataym (2010–2018), Home Sweetie Home (2014–2017), and Banana Split (2008–2010).

Navarro has received several awards throughout his career including the Gawad Urian Award for Best Actor in 2014 for his role in the film The Amazing Praybeyt Benjamin. He was also named Best Male TV Host by the PMPC Star Awards for Television in 2015. Navarro's firstborn son Frederick, is also a graduate of UST in Information Technology now working as an IT specialist. In 2019, Navarro and Tanya Winona Bautista were married in Kyoto, Japan.

Assault incident/Deniece Cornejo Case On January 22, 2014, Navarro was attacked and severely beaten by a group of men inside his female friend Deniece Cornejo's condominium unit at Forbeswood Heights in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. His manager, Chito S. Roño, said Navarro was invited by Cornejo to visit her condominium unit, where he was tied up and blindfolded by several men, threatened and then beaten up. The perpetrator was identified as Cedric Lee, who was also accompanied by several other men during the time of the incident. Following this, it was stated that Navarro would temporarily not be appearing on It's Showtime and other television projects while he continues to recover. Lawyer Alma Fernandez-Mallonga served as Navarro's legal counsel, while Howard Calleja served as Cornejo's counsel.

Navarro was accused of attempted rape, which he denied. In an interview with TV host Boy Abunda on Buzz ng Bayan, Navarro said he just arrived at the model's condo unit and then suddenly there were armed men that beat him up. On January 29, 2014, one week after the incident, Cornejo filed a rape case against Navarro, but the National Bureau of Investigation said it was unlikely that there was an attempted rape on Cornejo, based on the CCTV elevator footage, in which Cornejo was seen exiting the building only a minute after Navarro's arrival.

On February 19, 2014, another rape case was filed against Navarro, by a woman named Roxanne Cabañero, alleging the rape took place in 2010. Cabañero's case was dismissed in October 2014 due to insufficient evidence, with a statement from the Department of Justice saying Cabanero's story was "contradictory, suspicious, and of doubtful nature."

On March 8, 2014, Navarro returned to It's Showtime.

On April 10, 2014, DOJ dismissed the rape complaint filed by Deniece Cornejo against Navarro. A week later, DOJ issued a warrant of arrest against Cornejo and Lee. On April 26, Lee and his accomplice were captured and arrested in Oras, Eastern Samar. On May 5, Cornejo surrendered to Camp Crame.

On September 16, 2014, the Taguig court set a bail for Lee, Raz and Cornejo.

On January 25, 2015, businessman Ferdinand Guerrero was arrested by agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) inside the penthouse of Ritz condominium in Makati as one of the suspects.

On July 21, 2022, the Court of Appeals' 14 Division reversed the DOJ's decision to dismiss Cornejo's complaint.

On September 19, 2022, the Taguig Court issued an arrest warrant against Navarro 8 years after the incident happened. He surrendered to the NBI on the same day.

On September 19, 2022, Navarro surrendered to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after trial courts in Taguig issued him separate warrants for rape and "acts of lasciviousness" committed against Deniece Cornejo in 2014. Prosecutors said that the rape and molestations occurred at the hotel where Navarro was also falsely imprisoned and beaten by Cedric Lee and his accomplices as a result; the extent of his injuries made headlines at the time, and his assailants were eventually convicted. Navarro has maintained he did not rape Cornejo, claiming the pair did not engage in any sexual activity; and that Cornejo, Lee and his companions were seeking to extort him for financial gain.

On December 6, 2022, the court allowed Navarro to post (roughly ) bail.

On January 12, 2023, the court denied Cornejo's appeal to cancel Navarro's bail. In March 2023, the Philippine Supreme Court dismissed the charges due to lack of probable cause as well as noted what they considered to be material inconsistencies in complainant Deniece Cornejo's complaint-affidavits concerning one of the elements of the crime charged in the indictment.

On May 2, 2024, the Taguig City Regional Trial Court, Branch 153, Presiding Judge Mariam G. Bien, in a 94-page judgment sentenced Cedric Lee, Denice Cornejo, Ferdinand Guerrero, and Simeon Palma Raz to reclusión perpetua, in the 2014 case for serious illegal detention (Article 267, Revised Penal Code), extortion and assault of Navarro. The accused were ordered to pay jointly and severally civil indemnity, moral damages and punitive damages. The court further canceled the bail bond of the accused. Raz and Cornejo, who were present at the promulgation of the decision, and were committed by the court.

Cedric Lee surrendered with the National Bureau of Investigation in Mandaluyong and later transferred to Quezon City, Director Menardo de Lemos confirmed. Lee will be held in a prison outside of the Bilibid Prison, said Gregorio Catapang Jr. Deniece Millinete Cornejo and mixed martial arts fighter Simeon Palma Raz will be under the NBP Reception and Diagnostic Center procedures, such as a 5-days Quarantine Cell stay and 55-day medical diagnosis. Cornejo will finally be held at the Mandaluyong Correctional Institution for Women. On May 16, 2024, Ferdinand Guerrero surrendered to the NBI and was detained at the Bureau of Corrections' Quarantine Cell.

Discography Studio albums Totoy Bibbo (2004) Don Romantiko (2005) Chickboy (2007) Let's Dance (2008)

Compilation albums Best Novelty Hits (2008)

Songs/music videos "Hari ng Dance Floor" (It's Showtime the Album) "Mr. Papabol" (I Star 15 album) "Ayos Na Ang Buto-Buto" "Cha Cha Cha" "Chickboy" (from the film Agent X44) "Don Romantiko" (from the film D' Anothers) "Huwag Kang Makulit" (from the TV series Kulilits) "Magandang Umaga" "Minahal Kita" (featuring Gloc-9) "Pata-Pata-Pon" (featuring Streetboys) "Pamela" (from the film Otso-Otso, Pamela-Mela Wan) "Supah Papalicious Man" (from the film Supah Papahlicious) "Totoy Bibbo" "Da Vhong Song" (from the film Da Possessed)

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 1992 Home Along Da Riles Hurculies 1996–1999 Super Laff-In Himself (host) 1996–present ASAP Himself (performer) 1997 Spice Boys Himself (host) 1999–2001 Pwedeng Pwede Samson 2001 Wansapanataym: Tiquio, Tiquio in the Cue Ball Joe the Master Whattamen Elton 2003 Wansapanataym: Lampaeng Paeng Wazzup Wazzup Himself (host) Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis Bok Tyson 2004 Pirated CD (Celebrity Disguise) Himself (host) MTB Ang Saya Saya Yes, Yes Show! 2006 Gudtaym Komiks Presents: Da Adventures of Pedro Penduko Gary Love Spell: Pasko Na Santa Ko Donato 2007 Mars Ravelo's Lastikman Eskappar / Miguel Asis / Lastikman 2008 I am KC: Love to Dance Eman I Love Betty La Fea Nicholas "Kulas" Moro Pilipinas, Game KNB? Himself (guest host) My Myx Himself (Celebrity VJ) Myx Backtrax Myxilog Pop Myx 2009 May Bukas Pa Moy George and Cecil Guest appearance 2009–present It's Showtime Himself (host) 2010 Magpasikat Wowowee Kokey @ Ako Bruce Kho Reyes / Belat 2011 100 Days to Heaven Elpidio "Pido" Abucay 2011–2013 Toda Max Justin Bibbo 2014 Home Sweetie Home Jerome Wansapanataym: Nato De Coco Oscar "Oca" Palmera 2015 Dance Kids Judge 2017 Minute to Win It: Last Man Standing Himself (player) 2019–2020 Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet Ferdinand "Ferdie" Bustamante Your Moment Himself (host) 2021 Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 3) Himself (guest) 2024 Family Feud (4th incarnation) Himself (player) 2025 Incognito Gaspar Your Face Sounds Familiar (season 4) Himself (host)

Film Year Title Role Notes 1994 Minsan Lang Kitang Iibigin Streetboys Separada 1996 Istokwa Macky 1998 Labs Kita, Okey Ka Lang? Jason 2000 Tugatog Monset Daddy O, Baby O! Benny Anghel dela Guardia Raphael Spirit Warriors Thor 2001 Ooops, Teka Lang... Diskarte Ko 'To! Dencio Banyo Queen Pating 2002 May Pag-ibig Pa Kaya? Lesther Got 2 Believe Rudolph Cass & Cary: Who Wants to Be a Billionaire? Cary Jologs Kulas 2003 Spirit Warriors: The Shortcut Thor Keka Bhong Pinay Pie Butch Asboobs: Asal Bobo Kitoy Utang ng Ama Babaero Mr. Suave Rico Suave Gagamboy Junie / Gagamboy 2004 Otso-Otso Pamela-Mela Wan Amboy / Dao 2005 D' Anothers Hesus Resurrection 2007 Agent X44 Reserve Agent King Agila / Agent X44 2008 Supahpapalicious Adonis / Dodong / Tita Barbara / Lola Paulina / Apl Dayap My Only Ü Bonganvilla/Bong 2009 Astig Real Estate Buyer Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme Cameo 2010 RPG Metanoia Cel / Sargo Voice role 2011 Bulong Conan 2012 Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion Hank 2014 Starting Over Again Cameo Da Possessed Ramoncito "Ramon" Villamayor Moron 5.2: The Transformation Cameo 2015 Buy Now, Die Later Odie 2017 Mang Kepweng Returns Kieffer Rivera/Mang Kepweng Woke Up Like This Nando CruzSabrina Rodriguez 2018 Unli Life Benedict Panganiban 2020 I'm in Love with My Asylum Mang Kepweng: Ang Lihim ng Bandanang Itim Kieffer Rivera/Mang Kepweng 2025 Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana Maximo "Boy Kana" Maniego Sr.

Music Videos Year Title Credit 2026Unang Kilig (with Bini) Himself

Awards and nominations + Award Year Nominee / Work Category Result Anak TV Seal Awards 2010 Vhong Navarro Makabata Star 2012 2014 2015 2016 ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards 2007 "Chickboy" Pop Movie Theme Song of the Year Agent X44 Pop Screen Kiss (Shared with Pokwang.) 2010 Vhong Navarro Pop Male Fashionista 2011 2013 2014 Awit Awards 2009 "Ayos Na ang Buto-Buto" Best Novelty Recording 2011 "Mr. Papabol" Gawad Urian Awards 2003 Jologs Best Actor Golden Laurel Lyceans' Choice Media Awards 2022 It's Showtime Best Variety Show Host/s (Shared with It's Showtime hosts.) Golden Screen TV Awards 2013 Toda Max Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Gag or Comedy Program 2014 It's Showtime Outstanding Male Host in a Musical or Variety Program 2015 Jeepney TV Fan Favorite Awards 2022 Favorite Musical/Variety Show Host PMPC Star Awards for Movies 2009 "Chickboy" Movie Theme Song of the Year PMPC Star Awards for Television 2004 Bida si Mister, Bida si Misis Best Comedy Actor 2010 Showtime Best Talent Search Program Hosts (Shared with Showtime hosts.) 2011 2012 Toda Max Best Comedy Actor It's Showtime Best Reality/Game Show Host (Shared with It's Showtime hosts.) 2013 Toda Max Best Comedy Actor It's Showtime Best Male TV Host 2018 2019 Home Sweetie Home: Extra Sweet Best Comedy Actor 2021 Push Awards 2015 Vhong Navarro Push Tweet Most Loved Male Celebrity Push Gram Most Popular Male Celebrity 2019 It's Showtime Push Dance Performance of the Year 2020 Vhong Navarro Push Happiness Ambassador Love Shot Push Dance Cover of the Year Rawr Awards 2015 Vhong Navarro Fashionable Celebrity of the Year 2017 Pak Na Pak Na Comedian 2018 Sine Sandaan: Celebratingthe Luminaries of Philippine Cinema 2019 Male Comedian ng Sentenaryo Yahoo OMG! Celebrity Awards 2011 Funniest Comedian 2012 Comedian of the Year 2013 It's Showtime Male TV Host of the Year 2014